This program delivers advertising content to the user. It is usually annoying but harmless, unless it is combined with spyware or trackware.
Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.
A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:
Check for the latest database updates
First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.
Submit a sample
After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.
Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.
Exclude a file from further scanning
If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.
This is the family description for the Adware:W32/Gator family of adware programs.
This adware family is associated with the Gator Corporation (since renamed to Claria Corporation, now no longer in operation) and its GAIN advertising network. Please refer to Claria description for a more detailed overview of the nature of this network.
Adware:W32/Gator variants are primarily components of a Gator-related adware program known as Trickler, which downloads these additional components to the affected system. Trickler is itself most likely installed by being bundled with third-party software.
During installation, Gator variants use registry Run keys as a launchpoint. They also commonly use the %temp%\fsg_tmp directory for storage of temporary files.
While active, the adware program attempts to connect to remote servers, most likely to retrieve advertising materials. Some representative connection attempts are:
Gator adware programs may create the following mutex to ensure only one copy is active at a time: